Iceland, geographically, has a curvaceous landscape that finds itself cutting above its coastlines. The temperature hardly ever rises above twenty degrees Celsius, but still varies considerably throughout the day. The nights can be long; sometimes the sun doesn’t rise at all. In regards to the competition sites, the Black Lava Fields as well as the Thermal Springs are some of the most unique places in the world. Lava forms and solidifies atop the lava fields, creating a process of solid-fluid-solid from the rock that melts between the tectonic plates below. It is this process that I am interested in. Rock in its most common form is hard, sharp, jagged and hostile. However, after the process of melting and solidifying, it retains its hardness, yet it is less hostile, flowing, and secure.

In my exploration, I find myself determining the main attributes of the forms that are created in the process of solid-fluid-solid. A material that can replicate this process is found in every home, wax. Paraffin wax contains a relatively low melting point, and when melted carries a similar viscosity to molten rock. I find my concept within my research and testing of paraffin wax; the idea of a wax building. While there are many challenges that have restricted the utilisation of this material in regards to construction, Iceland may be one of the only places in the world that could make it possible.